U.S. patent number 6,930,606 [Application Number 09/882,748] was granted by the patent office on 2005-08-16 for security device having multiple security detection features.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Crane & Co., Inc., Technical Graphics Security Products, LLC. Invention is credited to Paul F. Cote, Timothy T. Crane, Stephen B. Curdo, Gerald J. Gartner, Gary R. Wolpert.
United States Patent |
6,930,606 |
Crane , et al. |
August 16, 2005 |
Security device having multiple security detection features
Abstract
A security device, such as a security thread, uses multiple
security detection features provided by combining metal and
metal/magnetic security features on a carrier substrate. The
security detection features basically comprise an optionally
repeating pattern of discrete metal/magnetic indicia and discrete
metal or metal-dot formed indicia. The security detection features
may also include at least one metal strip extending along the
length of the carrier substrate and/or a plurality of metal dots
located on metal-free portions of at least one surface of the
substrate.
Inventors: |
Crane; Timothy T. (Windsor,
MA), Cote; Paul F. (Hollis, NH), Curdo; Stephen B.
(Hollis, NH), Gartner; Gerald J. (Hollis, NH), Wolpert;
Gary R. (Mason, NH) |
Assignee: |
Crane & Co., Inc. (Dalton,
MA)
Technical Graphics Security Products, LLC (Milford,
NH)
|
Family
ID: |
25381257 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/882,748 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
684851 |
Oct 6, 2000 |
6459131 |
|
|
|
203449 |
Dec 1, 1998 |
6255948 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/572.1;
194/213; 235/449; 235/451; 235/452; 235/493; 283/82; 283/83;
340/5.86; 340/572.8; 428/209; 428/381; 428/389; 428/399; 428/457;
428/916 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06K
19/06196 (20130101); G06K 19/086 (20130101); G06K
19/18 (20130101); G08B 13/2408 (20130101); G08B
13/2417 (20130101); G08B 13/2437 (20130101); G08B
13/2448 (20130101); Y10S 428/916 (20130101); Y10T
428/31678 (20150401); Y10T 428/24917 (20150115); Y10T
428/2976 (20150115); Y10T 428/2944 (20150115); Y10T
428/2958 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
G08B
13/24 (20060101); G06K 19/06 (20060101); G06K
19/18 (20060101); G08B 013/14 () |
Field of
Search: |
;340/572.1,572.5,572.6,572.7,572.8 ;235/488,449,487
;283/82,85,91,101,31 ;428/195.1,209,203,323,172,611 ;216/103
;194/206,207 ;250/556 ;324/261,239 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Other References
Tucker, Richard, "Portals and Tagsa make their mark in secure
labels", (article source and date unknown). .
De La Rue Holographics Ltd., "The Mark of Authenticity" brochure,
Designed and Produced by Osprey RMA, Hampshire, England, date
unknown..
|
Primary Examiner: Lee; Benjamin C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Holland & Bonzagni, P.C.
Bonzagni, Esq.; Mary R.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/203,449 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,255,948) filed
Dec. 1, 1998, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/067,228 filed Dec. 2, 1997, both of which
are fully incorporated herein by reference. This application is
also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/684,851 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,549,131) filed Oct. 6, 2000, which
claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/158,282 filed Oct. 7, 1999, both of which are also fully
incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A metal/magnetic security device comprising: (a) a carrier
substrate having a length; and (b) security detection features
disposed on at least one surface of the carrier substrate, wherein
the security detection features comprise: (i) an optionally
repeating pattern of: discrete metal/magnetic indicia formed using
detectable metal and magnetic materials; and discrete metal or
metal-dot formed indicia, (ii) optionally, at least one metal strip
extending along the length of the carrier substrate, and (iii)
optionally, a plurality of metal dots formed on at least one
surface of the carrier substrate, wherein the discrete indicia are
not connected to adjacent indicia by metal or magnetic materials
used to form the indicia.
2. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 1, wherein the
carrier substrate is a transparent carrier film.
3. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 1, wherein the
discrete metal/magnetic indicia comprise at least one of geometric
shapes, letters, numbers, alphanumeric characters and symbols.
4. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 1, wherein the
discrete metal or metal-dot formed indicia comprise at least one of
letters, numbers, alphanumeric characters, symbols and metal or
metal-dot regions which surround and define clear indicia.
5. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 1, wherein the
discrete metal/magnetic indicia and the discrete metal or metal-dot
formed indicia form a repeating pattern extending along the length
of at least one surface of the carrier substrate.
6. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 1, wherein the
security detection features further comprise at least one metal
strip extending along the length of at least one surface of the
carrier substrate.
7. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 6, wherein at least
a portion of at least one metal/magnetic indicia overlaps at least
a portion of at least one metal strip.
8. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 6, wherein the
security detection features further comprise a first and a second
metal strip extending longitudinally along a top and a bottom
region of at least one surface of the carrier substrate.
9. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 1, wherein the
security detection features further comprise a plurality of metal
dots located on remaining metal-free regions of at least one
surface of the carrier substrate.
10. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 1, wherein the
metal/magnetic indicia are multi-layer, metal/magnetic indicia
which include a metal layer disposed on the carrier substrate, and
a magnetic layer disposed on the metal layer.
11. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 10, wherein the
multi-layer, metal/magnetic indicia include a second metal layer
disposed on the magnetic layer.
12. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 1, wherein the
discrete metal or metal-dot formed indicia are formed by solid
metal.
13. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 1, wherein the
discrete metal or metal-dot formed indicia are formed by a
plurality of closely spaced metal dots.
14. A metal/magnetic security device comprising: (a) a carrier
substrate having a length; and (b) security detection features
disposed on at least one surface of the carrier substrate, wherein
the security detection features comprise: (i) an optionally
repeating pattern of: discrete metal/magnetic indicia formed using
detectable metal and magnetic materials and in the form of
geometric shapes; and discrete metal or metal-dot formed indicia,
wherein the indicia comprise at least one of letters, numbers,
alphanumeric characters and symbols, (ii) at least one metal strip
extending along the length of the carrier substrate, and (iii)
optionally, a plurality of metal dots formed on at least one
surface of the carrier substrate, wherein the discrete indicia are
not connected to adjacent indicia by metal or magnetic materials
used to form the indicia.
15. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 14, wherein the
carrier substrate is a transparent carrier film.
16. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 14, wherein the
discrete metal/magnetic indicia and the discrete metal or metal-dot
formed indicia form a repeating pattern extending along the length
of the carrier substrate.
17. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 14, wherein at
least a portion of at least one metal/magnetic indicia overlaps at
least a portion of at least one metal strip.
18. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 14, wherein the
security detection features comprise a first and a second metal
strip extending longitudinally along a top and a bottom region of
at least one surface of the carrier substrate.
19. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 14, wherein the
security detection features further comprise a plurality of metal
dots located on remaining metal-free regions of at least one
surface of the carrier substrate.
20. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 14, wherein the
metal/magnetic indicia are multi-layer, metal/magnetic indicia
which include a metal layer disposed on the carrier substrate, and
a magnetic layer disposed on the metal layer.
21. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 20, wherein the
multi-layer, metal/magnetic indicia include a second metal layer
disposed on the magnetic layer.
22. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 14, wherein the
discrete metal or metal-dot formed indicia are formed by solid
metal.
23. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 14, wherein the
discrete metal or metal-dot formed indicia are formed by a
plurality of closely spared metal dots.
24. A metal/magnetic security device comprising: (a) a carrier
substrate having a length; and (b) security detection features
disposed on at least one surface of the carrier substrate, wherein
the security detection features comprise an optionally repeating
pattern of: (i) discrete metal/magnetic indicia formed using
detectable metal and magnetic materials, wherein the indicia
comprise at least one of letters, numbers, alphanumeric characters
and symbols; and (ii) discrete metal or metal-dot formed indicia in
the form of metal or metal-dot regions which surround and define
clear indicia, wherein the discrete indicia are not connected to
adjacent indicia by metal or magnetic materials used to form the
indicia.
25. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 24, wherein the
carrier substrate is a transparent carrier film.
26. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 24, wherein the
discrete metal/magnetic indicia and the discrete metal or metal-dot
formed indicia form a repeating pattern extending along the length
of the carrier substrate.
27. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 24, wherein the
metal/magnetic indicia are multi-layer, metal/magnetic indicia
which include a first metal layer disposed on the carrier substrate
and a magnetic layer disposed on the first metal layer.
28. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 27, wherein the
multi-layer, metal/magnetic indicia further include a second metal
layer disposed on the magnetic layer.
29. The metal/magnetic security device of claim 24, wherein the
discrete metal or metal-dot formed indicia are formed by solid
metal.
30. The metal/magnetic device of claim 24, wherein the discrete
metal or metal-dot formed indicia are formed by a plurality of
closely spaced metal dots.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to security devices used in or with
valuable items and in particular, to security threads having
multiple security detection features including metal and
metal/magnetic regions.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
It is known that secure documents or instruments may be rendered
less susceptible to forgery or counterfeiting by including security
features in various forms within the body of the document. In fact,
the security or integrity of a document or instrument will increase
with the number of separate and distinct security features that it
employs.
Many security papers and other items of value include a security
device or element, such as a security thread, disposed on or within
the document. The security device typically includes one or more
security features, such as metallic, magnetic, x-ray absorbent,
and/or luminescent security features, that serve to authenticate
the security paper and prevent or deter counterfeiting.
A common type of security thread includes metal-formed characters
or indicia disposed on a plastic carrier substrate. Such threads
are coated with a layer of metal, such as aluminum, and display
either: discrete metal characters as currently used in United
States Currency; or negative or reverse-image characters as
currently used in currencies such as the German Deutsche Mark.
These threads are visually detectable in transmitted light by
members of the public and are machine detectable by conventional
thread detectors that detect the presence or absence of conductive
features on the threads.
It has long been recognized that while visually detectable or
public security features are both necessary and desirable, the use
of non-apparent and/or concealed, machine testable security
features offer a heightened level of security. If a counterfeiter
does not recognize that a particular security feature is present
within a document, attempts would not be made to reproduce that
feature.
Several attempts have been made to combine multiple security
detection features, such as metallic and magnetic features, to make
counterfeiting more difficult. In one example, magnetic ink is used
to print graphic indicia that can be read by MICR detectors.
However, if magnetic ink is used to print graphic indicia on or
with metallic security detection features, the magnetic features
and metallic features are easily distinguishable and identified. A
counterfeiter could recognize that both magnetic and metallic
security detection features have been used and need to be
reproduced.
Accordingly, a need exists for a security device that offers a
heightened level of security.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide
such a security device.
It is a more particular object to provide a security device having
multiple security detection features, such as metal and
metal/magnetic security detection features, some of which are not
easily distinguishable and recognizable upon observing the security
device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention therefore provides a metal/magnetic security
device comprising a carrier substrate, such as a transparent
carrier film, and multiple security detection features disposed on
the carrier substrate.
More specifically, the metal/magnetic security device of the
present invention comprises: (a) a carrier substrate having a
length; and (b) security detection features disposed on at least
one surface of the carrier substrate, wherein the security
detection features comprise: (i) an optionally repeating pattern
of: discrete metal/magnetic indicia, and discrete metal or
metal-dot formed indicia, (ii) optionally, at least one metal strip
extending along the length of at least one surface of the carrier
substrate, and (iii) optionally, a plurality of metal dots formed
directly on at least one surface of the carrier substrate.
The term "discrete," as used herein, is intended to mean not
directly connected to adjacent metal/magnetic indicia and/or metal
or metal-dot formed indicia disposed on a surface of the carrier
substrate. It is noted that the discrete indicia of the optionally
repeating pattern may be indirectly connected to adjacent indicia
by e.g. one or more metal strips extending along the length of the
surface of the substrate.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
metal/magnetic indicia, in the form of multi-layer, metal/magnetic
blocks or squares, and the metal or metal-dot formed indicia, in
the form of metal letters, numbers, and/or symbols, are disposed on
at least one surface of the carrier substrate, while first and
second metal strips extend along top and bottom regions or edges
thereof.
In a preferred embodiment, the multi-layer, metal/magnetic blocks
or squares, and the metal letters, numbers, and/or symbols form a
pattern that repeats along the length of the carrier substrate.
In another preferred embodiment, a plurality of closely spaced
metal dots are formed directly on remaining metal-free portions of
at least one surface of the substrate.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the
metal/magnetic indicia, in the form of multi-layer, metal/magnetic
letters, numbers, and/or symbols, and the metal or metal-dot formed
indicia, in the form of blocks or squares containing negative or
reverse-image indicia, are disposed on at least one surface of the
carrier substrate.
In a preferred embodiment, the multi-layer, metal/magnetic letters,
numbers, and/or symbols, and the blocks or squares containing
negative or reverse-image indicia, form a pattern that repeats
along the length of the carrier substrate.
One embodiment of the metal/magnetic indicia of the present
inventive security device may include a metal layer and a magnetic
layer. Another embodiment of the metal/magnetic indicia include a
first metal layer, a magnetic layer disposed on the first metal
layer, and a second metal layer disposed on the magnetic layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features and advantages of the present invention
will be better understood by reading the following detailed
description, taken together with the drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a metal/magnetic security device according
to one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of a metal/magnetic security device according
to another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a metal/magnetic security device according
to a further embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the metal/magnetic indicia of
the present inventive security device, according to one embodiment;
and
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the metal/magnetic indicia of
the inventive security device according to another embodiment of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A metal/magnetic security device 10, FIG. 1, according to the
present invention, is used on or in conjunction with an item of
value to provide authentication of that item or to encode data
pertaining to that item, thereby preventing counterfeiting or
unauthorized reproduction of the item. In the exemplary embodiment,
the security device 10 is in the form of a thread, which can be
used in secure documents including, but not limited to, bank notes,
currencies, passports, visas, titles, licenses, registrations,
checks, money orders, original documents, certificates of
authority, and gift certificates.
The security device 10 can also be used in labels, tags, product
wrappers or packaging material including, but not limited to,
pressure sensitive labels, glue on labels, in mold labels, heat
shrink labels, woven labels, tear tapes, shrink caps and collars,
and stickers.
The security device 10 can further be used with laminated articles
including, but not limited to, passports, ID cards, access cards,
licenses and credit/debit cards. The security device 10 can further
be used in tickets or passes including, but not limited to, event
tickets, transit tickets, lottery tickets, and admittance
passes.
The metal/magnetic security device 10 includes a carrier substrate
12, such as a transparent carrier film, having a surface 14.
Examples of the materials that can be used for the carrier
substrate are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,022, incorporated
herein by reference. Multiple security detection features are
provided on at least one surface 14 of the carrier substrate 12.
The security detection features are detectable by machine and/or
visually to provide authentication of the item with which the
security device 10 is associated. At least some of the security
detection features can also be used to encode data pertaining to
the item with which the security device 10 is associated.
The security detection features of security device 10 basically
comprise an optionally repeating pattern of discrete metal/magnetic
indicia 24 and metal or metal-dot formed indicia 22. The security
detection features may also include at least one metal strip 20
extending along the length of the carrier substrate 12, and/or a
plurality of metal-dots 26, located on metal-free portions of at
least one surface of carrier substrate 12.
The discrete metal/magnetic indicia 24 may include any type of
visual indicia such as geometric shapes (e.g., squares,
rectangles), letters, numbers, alphanumeric characters, drawings,
objects, pictures, non-geometric shapes, symbols and the like.
The metal or metal-dot formed indicia 22 can be formed as either
solid metal indicia 22, as negative or reverse-image indicia 23
formed by a metal region 25 which surrounds and defines negative or
reverse-image indicia 27, or as metal-dot clusters 22, as shown in
FIG. 2. The metal or metal-dot formed indicia 22 may include any
type of visual indicia such as letters, numbers, alphanumeric
characters, drawings, objects, pictures, shapes, symbols and the
like.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, and as best
shown in FIG. 1, discrete metal/magnetic indicia 24, in the form of
multi-layer, metal/magnetic blocks or squares, alternate with metal
formed indicia 22, in the form of metal letters, on carrier
substrate 12 and form a repeating pattern along the length of
substrate 12, while first and second metal strips 20a,b extend
along top and bottom regions or edges of surface 14 of substrate
12. In this one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of
metal-dots 26 are present on metal-free portions of surface 14 of
substrate 12.
In one embodiment, the metal/magnetic indicia 24 do not overlap the
metal strips 20a,b, as shown in FIG. 1. In an alternative
embodiment, the metal/magnetic indicia 24 partially overlap and/or
contact the metal strips 20a,b, as shown in FIG. 2.
According to another embodiment of the inventive metal/magnetic
security thread 10, and as best shown in FIG. 2, the metal letters
22 are formed by metal-dot clusters.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, and as
best shown in FIG. 3, security device 30 includes discrete
metal/magnetic indicia 34, in the form of multi-layer,
metal/magnetic letters 38, which alternate with metal formed
indicia 32, in the form of blocks or squares containing negative or
reverse-image indicia 36, on carrier substrate 12, to form a
repeating pattern along the length of substrate 12.
In one embodiment, and as best shown in FIG. 4, the multi-layer,
metal/magnetic indicia 24,34 are formed as two layers including a
metal layer 40, disposed on at least one surface 14 of the carrier
substrate 12, and a magnetic layer 42 disposed on the metal layer
40 in substantially identical registration therewith. One method
for preparing such multi-layer, metal/magnetic indicia 24,34 is
disclosed in greater detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/203,449, (U.S. Pat. No. 6,255,948) entitled "Security Device
Having Multiple Security Features and Method of Making Same," which
has been fully incorporated herein by reference.
In accordance with another embodiment, and as best shown in FIG. 5,
the multi-layer, metal/magnetic indicia 24,34 include three layers,
with an additional metal layer 44 being disposed on magnetic layer
42. One method for preparing such multi-layer, metal/magnetic
indicia 24,34 is disclosed in greater detail in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/684,851, ( U.S. Pat. No. 6,549,131)
entitled "Security Device With Foil Camouflaged Magnetic Regions
and Methods of Making Same," which has been fully incorporated
herein by reference.
The security device 10 of the present invention can use the
security features to encode data, for example, using different
conductive characteristics of the metal and/or different magnetic
characteristics of the magnetic material, as disclosed in greater
detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/203,449, which has
been fully incorporated herein by reference.
Accordingly, the security device 10,30 of the present invention
offers a heightened level of security by providing multiple
security detection features using combinations of metal and
magnetic materials. For example, the visible indicia offer a public
security feature. The metal strip(s) 20 provides a machine
detectable security feature, while the discrete metal/magnetic
indicia 24,34, the pattern of metal/magnetic indicia 24,34 and
metal or metal-dot formed indicia 22,32, in addition to, the
plurality of metal dots 26, provide the ability to detect, encode
and read data, by machine. The metal/magnetic indicia 24,34 may
also serve to hide magnetic security features from public view, to
help avoid detection and counterfeiting.
Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art
are considered to be within the scope of the present invention,
which is not to be limited except by the claims which follow.
* * * * *